The synthesis of pteroylpolyglutamates by sheep liver enzymes in vitro

1. Sephadex G-15 was used to separate pteroylmonoglutamates from corresponding polyglutamate derivatives. 2. Pteroylpolyglutamates were formed when 5-formyltetrahydro[2-(14)C]pteroylglutamic acid, 5-[methyl-(14)C]tetrahydropteroylglutamic acid or tetrahydro[2-(14)C]pteroylglutamic acid was incubated at pH8.4 with ATP, MgCl(2), KCl, l-glutamic acid and sheep liver cytosol. The gamma-glutamyl side chain appeared to be lengthened by the stepwise addition of single glutamate moieties. 3. The subcellular distribution of pteroylpolyglutamates paralleled that of pteroylpolyglutamate synthetase activity, and followed the order cytosol>;nuclear' fraction>microsomal fraction>mitochondria.     

Changes in the ribonucleic acid metabolism of aging mouse tissues with particular reference to the prostate gland

1. Mouse mast-cell tumours P815 Y and HC were shown to contain glycoprotein material composed of glucosamine, galactosamine, sialic acid, galactose and mannose. 2. The major amino acids released after acid hydrolysis of Pronase-treated digests of the glycoprotein are aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, threonine, proline, glycine and alanine. The Pronase-digested material is not degraded in alkaline solution. 3. On incubation of mast cells with [(35)S]sulphate, heparin is the major radioactive product. However, [1-(14)C]glucosamine and d-[(14)C]glucose are incorporated largely into the glycoprotein. 4. The fate of [(35)S]sulphate-labelled and [1-(14)C]glucosamine-labelled material was studied. In each case high-molecular-weight radioactive material is released from the cells into the culture medium. The t((1/2)) of [(35)S]sulphate-labelled material in cells is 70hr. and that of [1-(14)C]-glucosamine-labelled material in cells is 40hr. 5. About 60% of the [(35)S]sulphate-labelled material is present in the mitochondrial and granular fraction. [1-(14)C]-Glucosamine-labelled material is present in both microsomal and mitochondrial and granular fractions, [(14)C]sialic acid being concentrated in the microsomal fraction.     

Phospholipid synthesis and exchange in isolated liver cells

1. The [(32)P]phosphate incorporated into the phospholipids of isolated rat hepatic cells is present in phosphatidic acid and to a smaller extent in phosphatidylinositol. 2. The ability to synthesize nitrogen-containing phospholipids is restored by adding a liver supernatant fraction, and it is suggested that the metabolic deficiency is caused by the leakage of cytoplasmic enzymes of the synthetase system from the cells. 3. Fortified cell preparations were pulse-labelled with [(32)P]phosphate, [Me-(14)C]choline, [2-(14)C]ethanolamine and [U-(14)C]inositol and the subsequent fate of the labelled microsomal and mitochondrial phospholipids followed. 4. A fall in the specific radioactivity of microsomal phospholipids and a rise in that of mitochondrial phospholipids is interpreted as providing evidence of a transfer of labelled phospholipid molecules from the synthetic site (endoplasmic reticulum) to the mitochondrial membranes in the intact cells. 5. The formation of the phospholipids of mitochondrial membranes is discussed.     

Mevinolinic acid biosynthesis by Aspergillus terreus and its relationship to fatty acid biosynthesis.

Mevinolinic acid, the open acid form of mevinolin, which is a metabolite of Aspergillus terreus, has been shown to be a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (Alberts et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77:3957-3961, 1980). The biosynthesis of mevinolinic acid was studied by examining the incorporation of [1-14C]acetate and [methyl-14C]methionine into the molecule. These isotopes were rapidly incorporated into mevinolinic acid, with [1-14C]acetate and [methyl-14C]methionine incorporation being linear for at least 10 and 30 min, respectively. A comparison of acetate incorporation into mevinolinic acid and fatty acids indicated that mevinolinic acid biosynthesis increased with a maximum between days 3 and 5 of growth; at this time cell growth had ceased and fatty acid biosynthesis was negligible. Hydrolysis of the mevinolinic acid and isolation of the products showed that [1-14C]acetate and [methyl-14C]methionine were incorporated into the 2-methylbutyric acid side chain as well as into the main (alcohol) portion of the molecule.     

Interaction between bile acids and staphylococcal polysaccharide: inhibition of capsule formation in encapsulated mutant strains (taurine+, taurine-) of Staphylococcus aureus

In a previous paper, we showed that bile acid derivatives inhibit capsule formation as well as taurine biosynthesis in a taurine+ (Tau+) encapsulated strain of Staphylococcus aureus. In the present study, binding of [14C]cholic acid [( 14C]CA) and [14C]taurocholic acid [( 14C]TA) to the staphylococcal polysaccharide antigen (SPA) of the capsular fraction was examined. The bile acids were found to bind with SPA via taurine of the Tau+ cells. [14C]CA bound with the SPA fraction of the Tau+ strain within 10-30 min, whereas 60-120 min was required in the binding of [14C]TA. Various bile acids competed with cholic acid binding to Tau+ cells which was shown by the inhibition of binding with cholic acid or taurocholic acid but not with glycholic acid. Binding of bile acid derivatives to a Tau- encapsulated mutant or to capsular material from this mutant was not observed.     

Studies on the transport of acetyl groups from peroxisomes to mitochondria in isolated liver cells oxidizing the polyunsaturated fatty acid 22:4n-6.

The oxidation of the fatty acid [1-(14)C]22:4n-6 was studied in isolated hepatocytes. Labeled acetate was the main acid soluble product identified by HPLC after short incubation periods. At low substrate concentrations and longer incubations [(14)C]acetate was gradually replaced by labeled beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate and oxaloacetate/malate. Preincubation with 2-tetradecylglycidic acid (TDGA), an inhibitor of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, did not reduce the oxidation but acetate was the only product recovered. TDGA also strongly inhibited the metabolism of added [1-(14)C]acetate to mitochondrial oxidation products. During the preparation procedure of hepatocytes the cellular L-carnitine concentration was decreased but it was restored after preincubation with L-carnitine. With low [1-(14)C]22:4n-6, concentrating a low level of [(14)C]acetate and high levels of labeled mitochondrial oxidation products were recovered after preincubation with L-carnitine. A small amount of [(14)C]acetylcarnitine was also detected under this incubation condition. The results suggest that a significant part of labeled acetyl groups from the peroxisomal oxidation of [1-(14)C]22:4n-6 is transported to the mitochondria as free acetate. Moreover, the results also suggest that L-carnitine at physiological concentrations may facilitate the transport of part of the acetyl groups from peroxisomes to mitochondria as acetylcarnitine. However, the possibility that an increased cellular L-carnitine concentration may stimulate oxidation of [1-(14)C]22:4n-6 in mitochondria could not be excluded.     

Acute control of fatty acid synthesis by cyclic AMP in the chick liver cell: possible site of inhibition of citrate formation.

Glucagon and N,(6)O(2)-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (Bt(2)cAMP) inhibit fatty acid synthesis from acetate by more than 90% and prevent citrate formation in chick hepatocytes metabolizing glucose. With substrates that enter glycolysis at or below triose-phosphates, e.g., fructose, lactate, or pyruvate, Bt(2)cAMP has no effect on the citrate level and its inhibitory effect on fatty acid synthesis is substantially reversed. Because acetyl-CoA carboxylase requires a tricarboxylic acid activator for activity, it is proposed that regulation of fatty acid synthesis by Bt(2)cAMP is due, in part, to changes in the citrate level. Reduced citrate formation appears to result from a cAMP-induced inhibition of glycolysis. Bt(2)cAMP inhibits (14)CO(2) production from [1-(14)C]-, [6-(14)C]-, and [U-(14)C]glucose and has little effect on (14)CO(2) formation from [1-(14)C]- or [2-(14)C]pyruvate or from [1-(14)C]fructose. [(14)C]Lactate formation from glucose is depressed 50% by Bt(2)cAMP. In the presence of an inhibitor of mitochondrial pyruvate transport lactate accumulation is enhanced, but continues to be lowered 50% by Bt(2)cAMP. The activity of phosphofructokinase is greatly decreased in Bt(2)cAMP-treated cells while the activities of pyruvate kinase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase are unaffected. It appears that decreased glycolytic flux and decreased citrate formation result from depressed phosphofructokinase activity. Fatty acid synthesis from [(14)C]acetate is partially inhibited by Bt(2)cAMP in the presence of fructose, lactate, and pyruvate despite a high citrate level. Incorporation of [(14)C]fructose, [(14)C]pyruvate, or [(14)C]lactate into fatty acids is similarly depressed by Bt(2)cAMP. Synthesis of cholesterol from [(14)C]acetate or [2-(14)C]pyruvate is unaffected by Bt(2)cAMP. These results implicate a second site of inhibition of fatty acid synthesis by Bt(2)cAMP that involves the utilization, but not the production, of cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA.-Clarke, S. D., P. A. Watkins, and M. D. Lane. Acute control of fatty acid synthesis by cyclic AMP in the chick liver cell: possible site of inhibition of citrate formation.     

Measurement of the formation of betaine aldehyde and betaine in rat liver mitochondria by a high pressure liquid chromatography-radioenzymatic assay.

A new assay procedure for measurement of rat liver mitochondrial choline dehydrogenase was developed. Oxidation of [methyl-14C]choline to [methyl-14C]betaine aldehyde and [methyl-14C]betaine was measured after isolating these compounds using HPLC. We observed that NAD+ was required for conversion of betaine aldehyde to betaine in rat liver mitochondria. In the absence of this cofactor, oxidation of choline led to the accumulation of betaine aldehyde. The apparent Km of the mitochondrial choline dehydrogenase for choline was 0.14-0.27 mM, which is significantly lower than previously reported. A partially purified preparation of choline dehydrogenase catalyzed betaine aldehyde formation only in the presence of exogenous electron acceptors (e.g., phenazine methosulfate). This preparation failed to catalyze the formation of betaine even in the presence of NAD+, indicating that betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase may be a separate enzyme from choline dehydrogenase.     

Pteroylglutamate derivatives in Pisum sativum L. Biosynthesis of cotyledonary tetrahydropteroylglutamates during germination

1. The concentrations of pteroylglutamate derivatives in the cotyledons of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings were determined by microbiological assay by using Lactobacillus casei (A.T.C.C. 7469), Streptococcus faecalis (A.T.C.C. 8043) and Pediococcus cerevisiae (A.T.C.C. 8081). During germination the pteroylglutamate content of the cotyledons increased rapidly from 0.2mug/g dry wt. to 4.0mug/g dry wt., the maximum values being reached approx. 120h after imbibition. 2. Approx. 50% of the pteroylglutamate pool of 3-day-old seedlings was accounted for by highly conjugated derivatives. The concentrations of such derivatives were greatest when precautions were taken to inactivate endogenous enzymes before extraction of the tissues. 3. Individual derivatives present in the tissue extracts were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Synthesis of the major derivative, 5-methyltetrahydropteroylmonoglutamate, was inhibited by administration of 0.1mm-aminopterin and -amethopterin solutions during imbibition. Under these conditions pteroylglutamic acid accumulated in the tissues. 4. Feeding experiments employing [2-(14)C]pteroylglutamic acid and 5[(14)C]-methyltetrahydro-pteroylmonoglutamic acid revealed that both compounds were incorporated into conjugated and unconjugated derivatives of the pteroylglutamate pool.     

De novo biosynthesis of arachidonic acid and 5,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid in the cricket Teleogryllus commodus

The de novo biosynthesis of 5,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid (5,11,14-20:3), arachidonic acid (20:4(n - 6] and eicosadienoic acid (20:2(n - 6] and the elongation/desaturation of linoleic acid (18:2(n - 6] to 20:4(n - 6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3(n - 3] to eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5(n - 3] were demonstrated in adult males of the field cricket Teleogryllus commodus. Sodium [1-14C]acetate, [1-14C]18:2(n - 6) and [1-14C]18:3(n - 3) were injected into adult male crickets and after an incubation period, the testes and remaining tissues were extracted and the methyl esters obtained from the phospholipid and triacylglycerol fractions were analyzed. After 5 days of daily injections of [1-14C]acetate, the methyl esters of the triene and tetraene fatty acids from the testicular phospholipid fraction were purified by AgNO3-TLC and HPLC and analyzed by GLC, radio-HPLC, and radio-GLC of ozonolysis products. The results demonstrate the de novo biosynthesis of 20:2(n - 6), 20:4(n - 6) and an isomer of 20:3(n - 6) with double bonds in the 5,11,14 positions. the elongation/desaturation of 18:2(n - 6) to 20:4(n - 6) and 18:3(n - 3) to 20:5(n - 3) was demonstrated by analysis of the methyl esters derived from the testicular phospholipid fraction by radio-HPLC after injecting crickets with radiolabeled substrates.     

Turnover of mitochondrial components of normal and essential fatty acid-deficient rats

1. Essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient and control rats were injected intraperitoneally with [(32)P]phosphate, l-[(35)S]methionine and [2-(14)C]acetate. The animals were killed at various time-intervals after injection and their liver mitochondria fractionated into soluble protein, insoluble protein, and lipid. 2. The (35)S was assayed in the protein fractions and (32)P and (14)C were assayed in the lipid fraction. Curves of log (specific activity) plotted against time were prepared for the different fractions. 3. There was no significant difference between the insoluble protein results for control and EFA-deficient animals, both sets of results indicating the presence of a single component of half-life 9 days. 4. There was no significant difference between the soluble protein results for the two sets of animals and both sets of results indicated the presence of at least two components. 5. The [(32)P]-phospholipid results indicate that in the control animals the liver mitochondrial phospholipids contain components of half-life 1.6 and 10 days whereas the mitochondrial phospholipids of the EFA-deficient animals contain components of half-life 3 and 29 days. 6. The specific activity of mitochondrial [(14)C]phospholipid initially fell rapidly in both groups of animals, but after 17 days there was no further significant decrease. A fast component with maximum half-life 2-4 days was clearly demonstrated for both groups of animals. Whether or not these results also indicate the presence of a very long-lived mitochondrial phospholipid is discussed.     

Biosynthesis of thiamine. Incorporation experiments with 14C-labelled substrates and with [15N]glycine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

1. Yeast was grown in a minimal synthetic medium together with a range of (14)C-labelled substrates under standardized conditions. After isolation, the purified thiamine was cleaved by sulphite and the pyrimidine and thiazole moieties were purified and assayed for radioactivity. 2. In order of decreasing incorporation, [(14)C]formate, [3-(14)C]serine, [2-(14)C]glycine and [2-(14)C]acetate supplied label for the pyrimidine, and [2-(14)C]glycine, [3-(14)C]serine, [1-(14)C]glycine, [(14)C]formate and [2-(14)C]acetate for the thiazole. Incorporation of label into the fragments from several other (14)C-labelled substrates, including [Me-(14)C]- and [3,4-(14)C(2)]-methionine, was insignificant. 3. [3-(14)C]Serine was shown not to contribute label to C-2 of the thiazole ring. 4. Significant incorporation of nitrogen from [(15)N]glycine into the thiazole moiety, but not into the pyrimidine moiety, was established. 5. It appears that C-2 and N-3 of the thiazole ring are formed from C-2 and the nitrogen atom of glycine, but the entire methionine molecule does not appear to be implicated.     

Identification of folate binding macromolecule in rabbit choroid plexus.

A macromolecular binder of folic acid and folic acid derivatives has been identified in the particulate fraction of homogenates of rabbit choroid plexus. Within the choroid plexus, there are 2.3 nmol of folate-binding activity (binder) per g of tissue. The molecular weight of the folate binder complex, separated from the particulate fraction after solubilization with Triton X-100, was 340,000 to 400,000 by Sephadex gel filtration. The partially purified binder, when freed of endogenous folates, bound equivalent amounts of both [3H]folic acid and [methyl-14C]methyltetrahydrofolic acid per mg of protein. Folic acid, homofolic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, and to a lesser degree, methotrexate, inhibited the binding of both [3H]folic acid and [14C]methyltetrahydrofolic acid. Binding activity, which decreased below pH = 7.0, was unaffected by pretreatment with ribonuclease but was eliminated completely by papain and a protease (Streptomyces griseus). Although dihydrofolate reductase was present in choroid plexus, the binder was distinct from dihydrofolate reductase as judged by gel filtration and methotrexate sensitivity. This high affinity binder of folates may be responsible, in part, for the rapid, saturable uptake of folic acid and methyltetrahydrofolic acid by rabbit choroid plexus in vitro.     

Formation of roseoflavin from 8-amino- and 8-methylamino-8-demethyl-D-riboflavin

A synthesis of roseoflavin (RoF) by Streptomyces davawensis from 8-amino- (AF) and 8-methylamino-8-demethyl-D-riboflavin (MAF) was demonstrated. The lines of evidence are: 1) the RoF formation was increased by addition of AF or MAF to the culture, 2) [2-14C]RoF was formed by addition of [2-14C]AF or [2-14C]MAF to the culture, and the location of the 14C atom at the 2-position was demonstrated by identifying [14C]urea in the hydrolysate of the RoF, 3) [N-methyl-14C]RoF was formed by addition of [methyl-14C]methionine to the culture containing AF or MAF, and the location of the 14C atom was confirmed by the photochemical conversion of the RoF to MAF, the specific radioactivity of which was about half that of the original RoF, and by localization of the 14C atom in 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-7-dimethylamino-2-keto-1-ribityl-3-quinoxalinecarbo xylic acid (QC), which was formed from the RoF by hydrolysis.     

Identification of the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding subunit of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I)

The mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex (Complex I) is inhibited by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), and this inhibition correlates with incorporation of radioactivity from [14C]DCCD into a Complex I subunit of Mr 29,000 (Yagi, T. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 2822-2828). Resolution of [14C]DCCD-labeled Complex I in the presence of NaClO4 showed that the labeled Mr 29,000 subunit was in the hydrophobic fraction of the enzyme. This fraction, which contains greater than 17 unlike polypeptides, was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the Mr 29,000 subunit, containing bound [14C]DCCD, was isolated and purified. The amino acid composition and partial sequence of this subunit corresponded to those predicted from the mitochondrial DNA for the product of the mtDNA gene designated ND-1. The identity of the Mr 29,000 subunit with the ND-1 gene product was further confirmed by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation experiments, using the hydrophobic fraction of [14C]DCCD-labeled Complex I and antiserum to a C-terminal undecapeptide synthesized on the basis of the human mitochondrial ND-1 nucleotide sequence. Thus, it appears that the DCCD-binding subunits of the respiratory chain Complexes I, III, and IV and in certain organisms the DCCD-binding subunit of the ATP synthase complex (Complex V) are all mtDNA products.     

Incorporation of N-fluoroacetyl-d-glucosamine into hyaluronate by rabbit tracheal explants in organ culture

1. Incubation of rabbit tracheal explants with N-[(3)H]acetyl-d-glucosamine and N-acetyl-d-[1-(14)C]glucosamine led to labelling of a number of soluble macromolecular products separable from the medium, after papain digestion, by ion-exchange chromatography. 2. With N-acetyl-d-[1-(14)C]glucosamine in the incubation medium, a neutral glycoprotein, two acidic glycoprotein fractions, hyaluronic acid and a glycosaminoglycan fraction were obtained and all were radioactively labelled. Similar labelling occurred with N-fluoroacetyl-d-[1-(14)C]glucosamine or N-fluoro[(3)H]acetylglucosamine as precursor. 3. Maximal labelling was obtained at 96h after incubation of cultures. N-Fluoroacetyl-glucosamine under these conditions was incorporated into hyaluronate less efficiently than N-acetylglucosamine. 4. With N-fluoroacetyl-d-[1-(14)C]glucosamine as precursor, a hyaluronate component was separated that on enzymic degradation by glycosidases (hyaluronidase, beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase) yielded a (14)C-labelled oligosaccharide fraction together with N-acetyl-d-[1-(14)C]glucosamine and N-fluoroacetyl-d-[1-(14)C]glucosamine, consistent with some exchange of N-acetyl groups having occurred. 5. The results on enzymic degradation of labelled macromolecules by glycosidases suggest that the presence of incorporated N-fluoroacetyl side chains may render the hyaluronate analogue more resistant to hyaluronidase.     

Site specificity of histone H4 methylation by wheat germ protein-arginine N-methyltransferase

CNBr treatment of calf thymus [methyl-14C]histone H4, methylated in vitro with S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-14C]methionine by a highly histone-specific wheat germ protein methylase I (S-adenosyl-L-methionine:protein-L-arginine N-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.23), produced two peptide fragments corresponding to residues 1-83 and 84-102, with the former being radioactive. Two-dimensional peptide mapping of the chymotryptic and tryptic digest of [methyl-14C]histone H4 and analysis of the chymotryptic digest on HPLC have shown that only a single peptide is radiolabeled. In order to define the exact site of methylation (arginine residue), the radioactive peptide from the chymotryptic digest of [methyl-14C]histone H4 was further purified on HPLC by linear and then isocratic elution. The purified chymotryptic peptide was then digested with trypsin and purified on HPLC, and its amino acid composition was determined on HPLC. These results indicate that the peptide corresponding to residues 24-35 of histone H4 is radiolabeled. Since this peptide contains a single arginine residue at position 35, we have concluded that the enzyme is specific not only to the protein substrate but also to the methylation site.     

Differences in the conversion of the polyunsaturated fatty acids [1-(14)C]22:4(n-6) and [1-(14)C]22:5(n-3) to [(14)C]22:5(n-6) and [(14)C]22:6(n-3) in isolated rat hepatocytes

The reasons why most cellular lipids preferentially accumulate 22:6(n-3) rather than 22:5(n-6) are poorly understood. In the present work the metabolisms of the precursor fatty acids, [1-(14)C]20:4(n-6), [1-(14)C]22:4(n-6) versus [1-(14)C]20:5(n-3), [1-(14)C]22:5(n-3) in isolated rat hepatocytes were compared. The addition of lactate and L-decanoylcarnitine increased the formation of [(14)C]24 fatty acid intermediates and the final products, [(14)C]22:5(n-6) and [(14)C]22:6(n-3). In the absence of lactate and L-decanoylcarnitine, no [(14)C]24 fatty acids and [(14)C]22:5(n-6) were detected when [1-(14)C]22:4(n-6) was the substrate, whereas small amounts of the added [1-(14)C]22:5(n-3) was converted to [(14)C]22:6(n-3). Lactate reduced the oxidation of [1-(14)C]22:4(n-6) and [1-(14)C]22:5(n-3) while L-decanoylcarnitine did not. No significant differences between the total oxidation or esterification of the two substrates were observed. By fasting and fructose refeeding the amounts of [(14)C]24:4(n-6) and [(14)C]24:5(n-3) were increased by 2.5- and 4-fold, respectively. However, the levels of [(14)C]22:5(n-6) and [(14)C]22:6(n-3) were similar in hepatocytes from fasted and refed versus fed rats. With hepatocytes from rats fed a fat free diet the levels of [(14)C]24 fatty acid intermediates were low while the further conversion of the n-6 and n-3 substrates was high and more equal, approx. 33% of [1-(14)C]22:4(n-6) was converted to [(14)C]22:5(n-6) and 43% of [1-(14)C]22:5(n-3) was converted to [(14)C]22:6(n-3). The moderate differences found in the conversion of [1-(14)C]22:4(n-6) versus [1-(14)C]22:5(n-3) to [(14)C]22:5(n-6) and [(14)C]22:6(n-3), respectively, and the equal rates of oxidation of the two substrates could thus not explain the abundance of 22:6(n-3) versus the near absence of 22:5(n-6) in cellular membranes.     

Synthesis of phosphatidylcholines in rat hepatocytes. Possible regulation by norepinephrine via an alpha-adrenergic mechanism

The effect of norepinephrine on phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine formation was investigated in short-term incubations with freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. In the presence of dl-propranolol, norepinephrine decreases the incorporation of [methyl-14C]choline into phosphatidylcholines in a dose-dependent manner. At a concentration of 50 microM, norepinephrine (plus 20 microM propranolol) inhibits the incorporation of [methyl-14C]choline over a wide range of choline concentrations (59% inhibition at 5 microM choline; 34% inhibition at 1 mM choline). Norepinephrine also decreases the incorporation rates of [1-14C]palmitic acid and [1-14C]oleic acid into phosphatidylcholines. The effect of norepinephrine is mediated through an alpha-adrenergic receptor. Norepinephrine (plus propranolol) does not decrease the uptake or phosphorylation rate of [methyl-14C]choline. Pulse-label and pulse-chase studies indicate that the conversion rate of phosphocholine to CDP-choline, catalyzed by CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase, is diminished by norepinephrine. In contrast with the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on phosphatidylcholine synthesis, this hormone stimulates the formation of phosphatidylethanolamines from [1,2-14C]ethanolamine. This increased incorporation rate is apparent at ethanolamine concentrations above 25 microM. A combination of norepinephrine and propranolol decreases, however, the synthesis of phosphatidylcholines from [1,2-14C]ethanolamine. The results indicate that alpha-adrenergic regulation dissociates the synthesis of phosphatidylcholines from that of phosphatidylethanolamines.     

Observations on the biosynthesis of thiamine in yeast

1. Methods are described for the isolation of radioactively pure thiamine from yeast and its degradation on a small scale to its cyclic components. 2. A degradation of the pyrimidine ring and a thin-layer method for the separation of thiamine, its derivatives and pyrimidine and thiazole residues are described. 3. [(14)C]Formate is more effectively incorporated into the pyrimidine residue than into the thiazole residue, whereas the reverse is true with l-[Me-(14)C]methionine. 4. Experiments with [Me-(14)C,(35)S]methionine demonstrate that methionine provides an intact unit for the biosynthesis of the thiazole ring. 5. [6-(14)C]Orotic acid is insignificantly incorporated into the pyrimidine residue of thiamine. 6. Experiments with [1-(14)C]- and [2-(14)C]-acetate indicate that it is incorporated as a unit into the thiazole residue, but that only C-2 is incorporated into the pyrimidine residue. 7. l-[U-(14)C]Alanine is also effectively incorporated into the thiazole residue. 8. These results are discussed in relation to possible pathways of biosynthesis of the two ring components of the thiamine molecule.